Easiest Homemade Coffee Creamer Recipe
Publish Date: August 4, 2015
Last Update: January 13, 2026
There’s something deeply satisfying about that first sip of morning coffee — the aroma, the warmth, and the way a splash of creamer turns bold black coffee into a smooth, comforting drink. But many store-bought coffee creamers are loaded with long ingredient lists full of artificial additives, sweeteners, preservatives, and thickeners you can’t pronounce. That’s why making homemade coffee creamer is such a game-changer: it lets you control the ingredients, cut out artificial junk, and tailor the flavor exactly to your taste.
A good homemade coffee creamer starts with simple, wholesome ingredients — think soaked cashews blended with water for creaminess, a touch of coconut oil or full-fat coconut milk for body, and a natural sweetener to balance the bitterness of coffee. In the version featured here, raw cashews become the creamy base that mimics dairy, while easy add-ins like vanilla or hazelnut bring rich flavor without needing artificial compounds from the grocery shelf.
Not only is this approach more transparent and cleaner than most commercial non-dairy creamers, it’s also highly customizable — you can make it rich or light, sweet or subtle, and add seasonal spices like cinnamon or cocoa for a fun twist. Because it’s an easy homemade coffee creamer, you don’t need special tools beyond a blender and about five ingredients total; plus it blends seamlessly into your daily cup, giving your coffee a creamy texture and flavor profile that feels indulgent yet intentional.
Homemade Coffee Creamer
Recipe Ingredients
- 1/2 cup raw cashews
- 1 1/2 cups purified water, plus more for soaking
- Small pinch sea salt
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 3 tablespoons full-fat coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon raw honey, or more to taste
How to Make Homemade Coffee Creamer
- Place cashews in a large bowl, cover fully with purified water, put a lid on it, and soak overnight.
- Drain soaked cashews and discard soaking liquid. Rinse well.
- Place cashews, 1 1/2 cups water, and salt in a high-speed blender. Blend until smooth.
- Line a strainer with cheesecloth and place over a bowl. Pour the cashew mixture into the strainer. Press all the cashew milk from the strainer, and discard the solids.
- Return cashew milk to cleaned blender and combine with coconut oil, coconut milk, and honey. Blend until well incorporated.
- Store in fridge for up to 3 days. Shake before using.
Vanilla Creamer
For a vanilla flavored creamer, stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract into the finished creamer.
Hazelnut Creamer
For a hazelnut creamer, replace the cashews with the same amount of raw hazelnuts.
Chocolate Almond Creamer
For a chocolate-almond creamer, add a teaspoon or two of raw cacao to the blender at the same time as the coconut oil, coconut milk, and raw honey. Stir in 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract at the end.
Homemade Vegan Coffee Creamer Nutrition Facts
*Estimated per serving (recipe yields approximately 16 servings). Based strictly on Thrive Market’s ingredient amounts.
| Serving Size | 1 tablespoon |
|---|---|
| Calories | ≈ 45 kcal |
| Protein | ≈ 1 g |
| Carbs | ≈ 2 g |
| Sugar | ≈ 1 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Fat | ≈ 4 g |
More Coffee Creamer Variations & Tips
- Vanilla homemade coffee creamer: Stir in a teaspoon of pure vanilla extract into your finished creamer for classic café-style flavor.
- Hazelnut version: Swap the cashews for hazelnuts or add a few drops of hazelnut extract for a nutty twist.
- Chocolate almond creamer: Add raw cacao or cocoa powder to the blender along with a touch of almond extract for mocha vibes.
- Maple or caramel notes: Sweeten with pure maple syrup and add a pinch of sea salt for a healthier take on caramel creamer.
- Dairy-free options: Use all coconut milk or a creamy barista-style oat milk base if you’re avoiding nuts or dairy.
- Spice enhancements: Mix in warm spices like cinnamon, cardamom or pumpkin-pie spice for seasonal flavor boosts.
- Storage tip: Keep homemade coffee creamer in a tightly sealed jar in the fridge — it’ll stay fresh several days, though without preservatives it won’t last as long as store-bought.
Best Coffee Creamer Pairings
- Freshly brewed coffee: Of course — drip, pour-over or French press all benefit from a splash of rich homemade creamer.
- Espresso or latte: Use your homemade creamer in espresso or steamed with plant milk for café-style lattes at home.
- Sweet breakfast pastries: Cinnamon rolls, scones or muffins pair beautifully with subtly sweetened creamer in coffee.
- Fruit and yogurt bowls: Pour a bit of creamer into a warm bowl of oatmeal or yogurt for extra richness and flavor.
- Chocolate desserts: Drizzle leftover creamer over vegan brownies or ice cream for a dessert-boosting swirl.
- Tea pecan pie or fruit tarts: A creamy coffee with homemade creamer is a perfect complement to sweet, nutty or fruit-forward desserts.
When to Make Coffee Creamer at Home
- Everyday morning ritual: Make a batch on Sunday and keep in the fridge for daily coffee upgrades all week.
- Brunch gatherings: Offer homemade creamer alongside coffee stations for lazy weekend brunch with friends or family.
- Holiday breakfasts: Whip up gingerbread or spiced maple variations for festive holiday mornings.
- Coffee bar at events: Set up a DIY coffee bar with different homemade creamer flavors for showers, parties or holiday brunches.
- Gift jars: Package small jars of flavored homemade creamer as thoughtful gifts for coffee lovers.
- Cozy winter evenings: Stir your creamer into warm coffee or hot chocolate for a relaxing night in.
Photo credit: Paul Delmont